Tech Tuesday Tip: Water Crossings and Your Drivetrain — What to Check Before You Ride Again

For ATV and UTV riders, water crossings are part of the fun. Mud, creeks, standing water and deep ruts come with the territory.

But every deep or aggressive water crossing is also a reason to give your machine a quick inspection afterward.

You don't need to tear the vehicle apart every time you splash through a puddle. But if the water was deeper than normal, the machine took a hard hit, or you spent significant time in mud or water, a few minutes of inspection can help catch problems before they turn into expensive repairs.

The Three-Point Post-Crossing Check

1. Check Your Gear Oil

If you've been through deep water, checking the fluid in your differentials and gearcases is one of the first things I'd recommend.

Exactly how you check it depends on the machine. Some ATVs and UTVs use a fill or inspection plug, while others use a different procedure. Follow the service procedure for your specific model.

What you're looking for is a change in the condition of the oil.

Milky, cloudy, gray, foamy, or otherwise abnormal fluid can indicate water contamination.

If you find contaminated fluid, don't keep riding and hope it clears up. Water in gear oil can reduce lubrication and contribute to corrosion and premature wear of gears and bearings.

And remember, your machine may have more than one gearcase or differential that needs attention.

2. Inspect Your CV Boots

Give every CV boot a good visual inspection after a deep crossing or a rough ride through mud and water.

Look for:

* Cuts or tears

* Cracks or splits

* Damaged or loose clamps

* A boot that has pulled away from the joint

* Grease thrown around the inside of the wheel 

* Mud, sticks, or debris packed around the boot

A CV boot doesn't have to look completely destroyed to become a problem. A small tear can allow dirt and water into the CV joint while allowing grease to escape.

Catch it early and you may be looking at a boot repair. Ignore it long enough and you could be replacing the entire axle.

3. Check Your Wheel Bearings

Water and mud can be hard on wheel bearings, especially when you're regularly riding through deep crossings.

If you can safely access the wheels, check for anything that feels or sounds different from normal.

Look for:

* Roughness

* Grinding or unusual noise

* Excessive play or looseness

* A wheel that doesn't feel smooth when rotated

A wheel bearing problem isn't always obvious immediately after a water crossing, so pay attention to anything that feels different from the way the machine normally operates.

If something doesn't feel right, have it inspected before putting a lot more miles on it.

Don't Forget the Brakes

Your brakes aren't part of the drivetrain, but they're too important to overlook.

After riding through water, braking performance can temporarily be reduced. When conditions are safe, apply the brakes lightly while moving slowly to help dry the braking surfaces.

If the brake pedal or lever doesn't feel normal, or braking performance doesn't return to normal, stop and investigate the problem before continuing to ride.

What If the Water Was Really Deep?

This is where you need to know the difference between a normal water crossing and an actual immersion.

If your ATV or UTV went significantly underwater, tipped over in water, stalled in a deep crossing, or took water into the air intake, don't treat it like a normal post-ride inspection.

Don't just restart it and hope for the best.

Water in the engine, intake, CVT system, or other components can create serious problems. Follow the manufacturer's procedure for your specific machine before putting it back into service.

One More Thing: Your Normal Maintenance Schedule Still Matters

A water crossing doesn't automatically mean every fluid on the machine needs to be changed.

But if you're riding through deep water, mud, or wet conditions frequently, your machine may be operating under more severe conditions than a machine that spends most of its time on dry trails.

That can mean more frequent inspections and, depending on the manufacturer and model, shorter service intervals.

Your owner's manual is the final word on the specific service requirements for your machine.

Why This Habit Pays Off

The point isn't to worry about every puddle.

It's to develop a habit.

If you just came through a crossing that was deeper, rougher, or more aggressive than usual, take a few minutes when you get back to the trailer or garage and look things over.

Check the gear oil.

Look at the CV boots.

Pay attention to the wheel bearings.

Check the brakes.

And if the machine was submerged or stalled in deep water, take the appropriate steps before starting it again.

Five minutes of inspection can be a lot cheaper than a differential, CV axle, wheel bearing, or other driveline repair later.

Better to find a problem in the garage than find it three rides later on the trail.

Ride hard. Maintain harder.

East Lake Axle
Phone: 813-814-2521